Marshall Seaver is being haunted. In the first installment of this chillingly compelling trilogy, sixteen-year-old Marshall discovers that something beyond our world is after him. The eerie clues pile up quickly, and when people start dying, it's clear whatever this is - it's huge. Marshall has no idea what's happening to him, but he's soon convinced that it has something to do with his best friend, Cooper, who's been missing for over a week.

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Marshall Seaver is being haunted. In the first installment of this chillingly compelling trilogy, 16-year-old Marshall discovers that something beyond our world is after him. The eerie clues pile up quickly, and when people start dying, it's clear that whatever this is - it's huge.

Marshall has no idea what's happening to him, but he's soon convinced that it has something to do with his best friend, Cooper, who's been missing for over a week. Together with Coop's sister, Marsh searches for the truth about what happened to his friend, ultimately uncovering something bigger than he could ever have imagined.

Referencing the Kingkiller Chronicle as Podehl's other work. He did a good job narrating. He has a good voice for male coming of age novels. 'Nuff said.

Probably my fault for not studying up MacHale's other work, but there was nothing about it in the description. For those not generally familiar with his work, this is definitely young adult fiction. I didn't know this so not long into it I found myself thinking, "what's with all the horror movie and awkward teenager cliches?"

After I realized that the book is for the young and I forgave all the trite stuff it actually turns out to be a pretty good story. There are some very enjoyable set pieces where the "monster" attacks. These are cinematically described and quite vivid. MacHale's words and Podehl's cadence during the mysterious revelation scenes is also quite engaging.

Unfortunately, one tool the author beats to death is Marsh's uncanny inability to predict his scene. I'm sure MacHale does this so the reader's surprise matches the character's, but it is so consistent that it's distracting. If he thinks something will go well, it becomes a catastrophe; if he thinks he's in trouble, he is saved; if he thinks she hates him, he gets a kiss. It is more predictable than gravity. Usually, there is very little contextual reason that Marsh should have his misconception. MacHale simply describes the misconception then "surprises" you with the opposite, over and over.

My hangup on the cliches and that particular device aside, I think I would recommend this book to a teenager looking to read a little light horror. The action is good; the mystery is good; and the story moves along at a steady pace.

A brilliantly read audio book that was written by a class author who does not get enough recognition for his work. A spooky story read by a brilliant voice artist.

The story is well-written and extremly well-acted (or voiced, depending on how you look at it) by Nick Podehl! Generally slow during the first two chapters, the pace moves along quickly and it has ended up being my favorite book by D. J. MacHale, whose books I have all read.

I'd recommend it to any and all, even if you have never heard of D. J. MacHale or Nick Podehl!

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